Chair and tablet arm assembly



April 13, 1954 J. H. CLARIN CHAIR AND TABLET ARM ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1951 INVENTOR. John H Claain BY A, A7 1/ April 13, 1954 c m 2,675,062

CHAIR AND TABLET ARM ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VII/III, iigia 7 JTJ'ITL H. Clann/ Patented Apr. 13, 1954 CHAIR. AND TABLET ARM ASSEMBLY John H. Clarin, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Clarin Mfg. 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 17, 1951, Serial N 0. 242,248

13 Claims.

This invention relates to chairs having tablets attached thereto and more specifically relates to a folding chair having a collapsible tablet mounted thereon which may be easily extended to a writing position, moved to a position so as to permit easy access to and departure from the chair, or collapsed to a storage position without detachment from the chair.

In the past, chairs have been provided with tablet arms for writing purposes. These tablet arms are usually held in fixed relation with respect to the associated chairs so that it is often diflicult to sit down in and get up from the chairs, particularly when thechairs are in close relation to one another as in the class room. In addition, these tablet arms cannot be easily moved, if at all, when desired. In those chairs which provide collapsible tablet arms, the tablets are often unsteady and do not permit easy access to the chair without complete collapse of the tablet arm. Furthermore, it is usually difficult to collapse these tablet arms. Attempts have been made to place collapsible tablet arms on folding type chairs but these attempts have, in general, resulted in unsatisfactory constructions and the tablet arms were not sufficiently steady for satisfactory use.

Therefore, a main object of the present inven tion is to provide a chair having a tablet arm which may be extended for writing or other purposes, moved to such a position as to provide easy access to and withdrawal from the chair, and collapsed to a storage position removed from any interference with movement of the occupant of the chair. Another object of the invention is the provision of such a tablet arm which is associated with a folding chair so as to provide a sturdy overall construction of high rigidity. Still further objects are to provide a simple collapsible tablet arm assembly which may be easily and economically manufactured; the provision of a tablet arm assembly which may be operated with facility to permit access of a person to the chair and to permit an occupant to get up from the chair without difliculty and which may be extended or collapsed with ease; the provision of a tablet arm assembly which may be collapsed while a folding chair is extended or collapsed concurrently with folding of such a chair; to provide an assembly which may be compactly stored so as to facilitate stacking of the associated chairs; and the provision of a new and improved construction for accomplishing the foregoing objects of the invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a folding chair having a tablet arm assembly in accordance with the invention attached thereto, the tablet being shown in dotted lines in a position which permits easy access to the chair.

Figure 2 is a view similar to 1, the tablet arm assembly being shown in a collapsed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the tablet arm assembly, the tablet being pivoted to the vertical position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the chair and tablet arm assembly.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View, in side elevation, of the tablet arm assembly and chair, the view illustrating an intermediate position of the assembly as it is being collapsed.

Figure 6 is also a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of the tablet arm assembly showing another intermediate position of the assembly as it is being collapsed.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-1 in Figure 4.

The present invention is adapted for use in association with rigid chairs of various types but has particular adaption in connection with folding type chairs. Accordingly, the drawings illustrate a folding chair I on which is mounted a tablet arm assembly 2 in accordance with the invention.

The chair is of conventional construction and is generally similar to that shown in my patent, 2,548,098, entitled Folding Chair and Kneeler Attachment and issued on April 10, L951, which patent has been assigned to the assignee of the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the chair I comprises a generally U-shaped section 3 which embraces the chair back i. The U-shaped section is formed from a flat strip, the edges being rolled inwardly to provide a bead 5 and a section which is generally channel-shaped in cross-section. The lower portion of the U- shaped section 3 provides a pair of forward legs 5 for the chair i and these legs are interconnected by a cross brace l which is of similar construction as the U-shaped section 3 and which is usual-- 1y riveted to the legs 6. In order to substantially prevent lateral or swaying movement of the chair 1 and assure more rigid construction, angularly extending braces B are connected between the cross brace l and each leg 6, as is particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A seat supporting brace 9 is also connected between the legs 6 and is adapted to support a seat It when the chair is in its extended position.

The chair I further includes a pair of rear legs H which are fabricated from channel shaped sections Ha and plate sections 82 which extend. upwardly from the channel sections. The plate sections nest in the channel sections and are usually riveted thereto. The rear legs ii are pivotally connected to the front legs 5 of the chair as shown at It and the upper ends of the rear legs H are connected to the seat ill by means of pivots. Cross braces M and i5 extend between the rear legs H in order to provide a sturdy, reinforced construction.

The seat It in addition to being connected to the upper end of the rear legs 1 l and supported by the cross-brace 9 when the chair is extended is also suspended from the U-shaped section 3 by means of link it which are pivotally connected to the U-shaped section as shown at H and to the seat as indicated at It. The lower end of the link it extends below the seat to provide an car it which engages the cross brace 9 and limits the unfolding movement of the chair. A pin 29 projects from each side of the seat I!) and is positioned to engage the ear it) so as to limit the unfolding movement of the seat and permit easy unfolding action.

The tablet arm assembly 2 is adapted to be collapsed and to be extended to its writing position at any time when the chair is extended. Furthermore, the assembly 2 is operable to permit easy access to the chair or an occupant to leave the chair without difliculty. As shown in the drawings, the assembly is disposed on the right hand side of the folding chair but it may be attached to the left hand side of the chair.

The tablet arm assembly includes a tablet arm 2! which is carried on a frame 22. When the assembly 2 is extended, the frame extends forwardly from the chair, as shown in Fig. 4, and is supported in this position by a supporting member 23 and a linkage 24. The supporting member and linkage are each connected to the U-shaped section 3. The tablet arm assembly 2 is secured in its extended position by a releasable locking mechanism 25 which is associated with the assembly 2.

The tablet arm 2| will usually be made of wood, though other materials may be used, and is shaped to provide an enlarged forward section for writing purposes and to permit the chair occupant to comfortably sit in the chair. A pair of angle members 26 are attached to the underside of the tablet arm and are adapted for connection to the frame 22. The connection to the frame is provided by rivets 21! which permit the tablet to be tilted to an outof-the-way position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby facilitating access to the chair and permitting an occupant to leave th chair. As a result of this feature, the chairs may be placed in close relation to one another without inconveniencing the chair users.

The tablet arm supporting frame 22 may be fabricated from a strip of material, as shown in Fig. 3, the strip being formed to provide a rectangular section 28, which is disposed under the tablet 2i and which prevents any tilting of the tablet when in the writing position. The strip is further formed to provide a section 2% which extends rearwardly from the rectangular section 28 and connects to linkage 24. The rearwardmost edge of this section is provided with a shoulder 30 which is in position to engage the linkage 24 when the tablet arm assembly 2 is c01- lapsed. The frame 22 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the supporting member 23 by means of a pin 3!, and is also connected to the 4 supporting member by means of a diagonally ex tending support brace 32 which extends from the outer edge of the frame 22 diagonally inwardly to the supporting member 23.

The supporting member 23 comprises an angle iron section in the construction shown in the drawings, and the lower end of this member is provided with a slot 33 which permits limited up and down movement of the member. A pin 34 is attached to the right leg 6 for engaging the slot 33, this pin being supported on a plate 3'5 which is nested in the channel section of the leg 5, as shown in particular in Fig. 4.

The linkage tit, as before indicated, is connected to the rearward end of the frame 22 and comprises a link '35 which is pivotally connected to the U-shaped section 3 at its upper end and to the frame 22 adjacent its lower end, when the assembly 2 is extended. The link extends below the frame to provide a pawl 31 as shown in Fig. 4. The pawl is proportioned to engage the shQlllder 38 on the end of the frame 22 so as to prevent over-center movement of the link when the tablet arm assembly 2 is collapsed. If such over-centermovement is permitted, the assembly 2 may be difficult to extend. A dog 38 is secured to the;

U-shaped section 3 for the purpose of engaging the pawl 3? when the assembly is in theextended position. This is an important feature of the invention and prevents lateral movement of the rearward end of the tablet arm 2| thereby providing a very steady surface. The dog 38 is desirably also positioned to engage the supporting member 23 when the tablet arm assembly 2- is collapsed.

When the chair shown in the drawings is used in combination with the tablet arm assembly, it is necessary to build out the U-shaped section 3 for purposes of supportingthe linkage 24 andthisis accomplished through provisionof an arcuate shaped piece 39 which is riveted or otherwise at-- tached to the upper end of the U-shaped sec-v tion 3. The link 36 is connectedtothis piece.

The releasable locking mechanism '2 5 as shown I in the drawings is also an important feature of the invention as it permits the tablet arm assembly 2 to be collapsed when the chair is in the.

unfolded position and causes the assembly to collapse when the chair is. folded. The locking mechanism 25 includes a channel-shaped latch" 45 which is fixedly attached to the supporting member 23 and opens inwardly toward the chair (Fig. 3). The latch includes a pair of legs 40a and 4%, the leg 45b being secured tofthe support- The locking mechanism 25 further includes an irregularly shaped catch 4| ing member 23.

which, in the construction shown'in the drawings, is formed on the upper end of the plate 12" associatedwith the right rear le'g H. (Figures 4, 5 and 6.) The catch il is provided with a cam surface 42 which inclines forwardly and down wardly from the-supporting member 23 (Fig. 4-)

and which is-positioned to'engage the le 48a of the latch 46'; The catch ll is also provided" with a V-shaped notch 33 which is in position to receive the supporting member 23. The'notchf' 33 is formed ina portion of the catch ii wl'iicli extends generally parallel to the rear leg I l and As a result, the supporting member issecured against both lateral, and forward ,andirearward l'iio'vement by the notch 43, and latch it and catch 4| respectively. Through engagement of the pawl 3 on the linkage 2 with the dog 33 and the action of the locking mechanism 25, the tablet 2| is securely held in the writing position thereby providing an unusually steady writing surface.

The cam surface E-li, notch it, and slot 33, which is formed in the lower end. of the supporting member 23, are proportioned and arranged so that the supporting member may be lifted and rotated rearwardly to thereby disengage the latch 4|) from the catch 4!. The cam surface Q2 and latch 68 are also proportioned so that when the chair is collapsed the latch it slides down the cam surface i2 and the catch s1 moves upwardly through the latch it so that the latch disengages from the cam surface 42, thereby releasing the locking mechanism and causing the tablet arm assembly 2 to collapse. When the latch to disengages the cam surface t2 it slides down the second cam surface on the catch 6|, this secend surface extending downwarnly and rearwardly from the lower edge of the cam surface 42, as before indicated. It is important that this surface be proportioned so that the latch ll disengages therefrom prior to complete collapse of the assembly 2. If such disengagement is not accomplished, the assembly will extend when the chair is unfolded placing undesired stress upon various parts of the assembly and making the chair difficult to unfold.

In order to collapse the tablet arm assembly 2 when the chair is in the extended position, the tablet arm 2| is first tilted to the position shown by dotted lines in Figure l and then the supporting member 23 is lifted to the position shown in Figure 5 so as to disengage the latch lii. The assembly is moved rearwardly, the supporting member moving to the position shown in Fig. 6 and the link 3% rotating rearwardly. Upon continued rearward movement of the assembly, the supporting member 23 engages the dog 38 on the U-shaped member 3 thereby limiting the collapsing movement of the tablet arm assembly 2 and the pawl 37 on the link Slit engages the shoulder 30 on the frame 22 to prevent over-center movement of the linkage E l.

When the chair is folded and the tablet arm assembly 2 is extended, the catch 4| moves upwardly and rearwardly relative to the latch Ml causing the latch to slide down the cam surface 32 and become disengaged therefrom. Further collapsing movement of the chair causes the latch to slide down the cam surface 3 7, and disengage therefrom. The tablet arm assembly then collapses to the position previously described. The tablet arm 2! may be tilted as desired. When the chair I is unfolded, the tablet arm assembly 2 remains collapsed. The assembly may be extended from this collapsed position by merely pulling the assent ly forward, lifting the supporting member up to engage the latch lil with the catch ll, and then lowering the latch to into engagement with the catch.

The arrangement described, in the foregoing provides an unusually steady construction and at the same time is simple to manufacture. Furthermore, the arrangement permits easy access and departure of occupants to and from the chair and collapse of the tablet arm assembly to an out-of-the-way position when desired. The assembly may be easily and simply operated to desired position and may be made a part of a folding chair so that the combined chair and assembly may be easily stored. Various of the 6. novel features of the invention are defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is in the extended position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said tablet arm and to said chair for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected .at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection of said one end for holding said tablet arm in'an operative horizontally extended position, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed.

2. In combination, a chair and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, salt tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair, when said tablet arm assembly is extended, a frame which supports said tablet arm, means for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly extending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet arm to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame and to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and pe mitting said assembly to be collapsed.

3. In combination, a chair and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a linkage connected to said. chair and to the rearward portion of said tablet arm for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection of said one end, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed, said looking means including a latch which is attached to said supporting member and a coasting catch secured to said chair.

4. In combination a chair, a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame which supports said tablet arm, means for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly ex tending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet arm to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a link age connected to the rearward portion of said frame and to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and relea able locking means securing assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed, said locking means including a latch which is attached to said supporting memher and a coacting catch which is secured to said chair, said catch having a rearwardiy opening notch formed therein engaging said supporting member and a portion engaging said latch when said supporting member is disposed in said notch to thereby secure said supporting member against forward and rearward movement.

5. In combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame which supports said tablet arm, means for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly extending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet arm to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame and to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage, the other end of said supporting member having a slot formed therein, a pin attached to said chair and slidably engaging said slot in said supporting member, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed, said looking means including a latch which is attached to said supporting member, and a coacting catch which is secured to said chair, said catch having a rearwardly opening notch formed therein engaging said supporting member and a portion en-- gaging said latch when said supporting member is disposed in said notch to thereby secure said supporting member against forward and rearward movement, said slot in said supporting member being proportioned to permit said latch to engage and disengage said catch.

6. In combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame supporting said tablet arm, means for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly extending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet arm to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame, said linkage including a link which is r pivotally connected at one end to said chair and at the other end to said frame, a dog secured to said chair engaging said link when said assembly is extended, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and releasable looking means securing said assembly in an extended position and to permit said assembly to be collapsed.

7. in combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame supporting said tablet, means for pivotally connecting said tablet to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly extendin horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame, said linkage including a link pivotally connected at one end to said chair, the other end of said link providing a pawl, pivot means for interconnecting said link to said frame, a dog secured to said chair and positioned to engage said pawl when said assembly is extended and to prevent lateral movement of said frame, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed.

8. In combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame supporting said tablet arm, means for ivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a, forwardly extending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame, said linkage including a link pivotally connected at one end to said chair, the other end of said link providing a pawl, a pivot for interconnecting said link to said frame, a shoulder on the rearward end of said frame positioned to engage said pawl when said, assembly is collapsed and prevent over-center movement of said linkage, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame at a point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and to permit said assembly to be collapsed.

9. In combination a chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly including a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is extended, a frame supporting said tablet arm, means for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said frame, said pivot means having a forwardly extending horizontally disposed axis so as to thereby permit said tablet arm to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said frame, said linkage including a link pivotally connected at one end to said chair, the other end of said link providing a pawl, a pivot for interconnecting said link to said frame, a dog secured to said chair and positioned to engage said pawl when said assembly is extended to prevent lateral movement of said frame, a shoulder on the rearward end of said frame and positioned to engage said pawl when said assembly is collapsed so as to prevent over-center movement of said linkage with respect to said frame, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said frame ata point forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point below the point of connection to said frame, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and permitting said assembly to be collapsed.

10. In combination a folding chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is in the extended position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said tablet arm and to said chair for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection of said one end. and releasable lock-- 9 ing means securing said assembly in an extended position and to permit said assembly to be collapsed.

11. In combination a folding chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm as sembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is in the extended position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said tablet arm and to said chair for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection of said one end, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and to permit said assembly to be col-- lapsed, said locking mean including a channelshaped latch attached to said supporting memher and opening inwardly toward said chair, and a catch attached to chair and. having a rearwardly opening notch formed therein engaging said supporting member and having a cam surface for engaging a leg of said latch.

12. In combination a folding chair, and a collapsible tablet arm assembly, said tablet arm assembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is in the extended position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said tablet arm and to said chair for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection of said one end, said other end of said supporting member having a slot formed. therein, a pin attached to said chair and slidably engaging said slot, and releasable locking means securing said assembly in an extended position and to permit said assembly to be collapsed, said locking means including a channel-shaped latch fixedly attached to said supporting member, and opening inwardly toward said chair, and a catch having a rearwardly extending notch form-ed therein for receiving said supporting member and having a cam surface positioned to engage a leg of said ii) latch, said slot in said supporting member being proportioned to permit said latch and catch to be engaged and disengaged.

In combination a folding chair comprising pairs of front and rear legs hingedly connected together and shiftable into and out or": collapsed and extended positions, a seat pivoted on said rear legs, said front legs supporting said seat when said chair is unfolded, and a tablet arm assembly adapted to be collapsed when said chair is folded and also when said chair is unfolded, said tablet arm assembly comprising a tablet arm which extends forwardly from said chair when said assembly is in the extended position, a linkage connected to the rearward portion of said tablet arm and to said chair for pivotally connecting said tablet arm to said chair, a supporting member pivotally connected at one end to said tablet arm forwardly of said linkage and at the other end to said chair at a point located below the point of connection oi said one end, said supporting member having a slot formed therein, a pin on the lower portion of said front legs and engaging said slot, and releasable locking means which permits said assembly to be collapsed, said locking means including a channel-shaped latch fixedly attached to said supporting member intermediate its ends, and opening inwardly toward said chair, and a catch attached to the upper end of one of said rear legs and having a rearwardly opening notch formed therein and a cam surface engaging said latch, said cam surface being proportioned so that said. latch disengages therefrom when said chair is folded whereby said assembly collapses when said chair is folded, said slot in said supporting member being proportioned to permit said latch to be disengaged from said catch and said assembly to be collapsed.

iiteierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,217,319 Lattig Feb. 27, 1917 1,744,735 Berman Jan. 28, 1930 1,864,750 Moore June 28, 1932 

